CROFTS [watching him with a crafty air as he disappears, and speaking to Vivie with an assumption of being on privileged terms with her] Pleasant young fellow that, Miss Vivie.  Pity he has no money, isn’t it?

VIVIE.  Do you think so?

CROFTS.  Well, whats he to do?  No profession.  No property.  Whats he good for?

VIVIE.  I realize his disadvantages, Sir George.

CROFTS [a little taken aback at being so precisely interpreted] Oh, it’s not that.  But while we’re in this world we’re in it; and money’s money. [Vivie does not answer].  Nice day, isn’t it?

VIVIE [with scarcely veiled contempt for this effort at conversation] Very.

CROFTS [with brutal good humor, as if he liked her pluck] Well thats not what I came to say. [Sitting down beside her] Now listen, Miss Vivie.  I’m quite aware that I’m not a young lady’s man.

VIVIE.  Indeed, Sir George?

CROFTS.  No; and to tell you the honest truth I don’t want to be either.  But when I say a thing I mean it; and when I feel a sentiment I feel it in earnest; and what I value I pay hard money for.  Thats the sort of man I am.

VIVIE.  It does you great credit, I’m sure.

CROFTS.  Oh, I don’t mean to praise myself.  I have my faults, Heaven knows:  no man is more sensible of that than I am.  I know I’m not perfect:  thats one of the advantages of being a middle-aged man; for I’m not a young man, and I know it.  But my code is a simple one, and, I think, a good one.  Honor between man and man; fidelity between man and woman; and no can’t about this religion or that religion, but an honest belief that things are making for good on the whole.

VIVIE [with biting irony] “A power, not ourselves, that makes for righteousness,” eh?

CROFTS [taking her seriously] Oh certainly.  Not ourselves, of course.  Y o u understand what I mean.  Well, now as to practical matters.  You may have an idea that I’ve flung my money about; but I havn’t:  I’m richer today than when I first came into the property.  I’ve used my knowledge of the world to invest my money in ways that other men have overlooked; and whatever else I may be, I’m a safe man from the money point of view.

VIVIE.  It’s very kind of you to tell me all this.

CROFTS.  Oh well, come, Miss Vivie:  you needn’t pretend you don’t see what I’m driving at.  I want to settle down with a Lady Crofts.  I suppose you think me very blunt, eh?

VIVIE.  Not at all:  I am very much obliged to you for being so definite and business-like.  I quite appreciate the offer:  the money, the position, Lady Crofts, and so on.  But I think I will say no, if you don’t mind, I’d rather not. [She rises, and strolls across to the sundial to get out of his immediate neighborhood].

CROFTS [not at all discouraged, and taking advantage of the additional room left him on the seat to spread himself comfortably, as if a few preliminary refusals were part of the inevitable routine of courtship] I’m in no hurry.  It was only just to let you know in case young Gardner should try to trap you.  Leave the question open.